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Sony's Andrew House

Euro boss talks E3, 3DS, Other OS and PS Plus. Also, where's Last Guardian?

Ellie Gibson avatar
Interview by Ellie Gibson Contributor
Updated on
29 comments
EurogamerFollowing the PlayStation Plus announcement, there seems to be a bit of confusion over the cross-game chat issue. Will that feature come in the form of a firmware update or will it only be available to PS Plus subscribers?
Andrew House

I think that's a separate, side-issue from PlayStation Plus right now. I don't think we've talked about that for that reason.

What we're doing with PlayStation Plus is a really robust set of free content, discounted content, opportunities to access free trials... I'd emphasise that this was based on a lot of what our network consumers were telling us they would like to see more of. So I think we've constructed the value proposition very, very carefully.

If you start to add up all that's available to you over the course of the year, it looks to be a really good deal. I want to stress that it's one other option, in addition to the current service which is free at the point of entry, and there are no plans to change any of that.

EurogamerHave you made a decision on whether you'll have to subscribe to PlayStation Plus if you want cross-game chat?
Andrew House

That's not really something we're talking about at this show.

EurogamerIt's what people really want to know, though...
Andrew House

And we'll be able to tell them.

EurogamerBut not now?
Andrew House

No.

Is cross-game chat part of this? House won't say.
EurogamerWith regard to PlayStation Plus giving subscribers discounts and access to things like Qore - is that a good deal? It feels a bit like you're saying, 'You can pay us to buy our products for slightly less and get a catalogue advertising them.'
Andrew House

No, I don't think that's a fair categorisation. Free game downloads, one PSN title, two Minis and one PSone classic every month; free premium avatars; dynamic themes; full-game trials, which was one of the things consumers told us they wanted most...

EurogamerWhat happens to those downloaded games if your subscription expires?
Andrew House

The games themselves will go away. They are valid for the life of the subscription.

EurogamerDo they self-destruct?
Andrew House

They're deactivated. They're reactivated if you reactivate your subscription.

EurogamerI asked the readers what they wanted me to ask you via Twitter. I won't repeat everything they said, but this question came up a lot: where was The Last Guardian at your press conference?
Andrew House

Yes, we would love to have more of an update on The Last Guardian. The team is hard at work on it.

EurogamerAre you sure they're hard at work on it? It's been a while. Are you sure they're not just sitting round eating crisps and watching Hollyoaks, and telling you it'll be ready in a bit?
Andrew House

Having spent six years working in Japan, I can guarantee you people will be hard at work, all hours of the night and day.

EurogamerWhen was the last time you saw it?
Andrew House

I have not seen it recently, other than what's been shown publicly.

EurogamerSo you don't know why it wasn't at the conference?
Andrew House

I think the team just made a decision that they didn't want to talk about the progress on the game or reveal it at this particular stage, and we have to respect that.

Wake up you cat-eagle bastard!
EurogamerWill it be at the Cologne Gamescom or the Tokyo Game Show?
Andrew House

I couldn't say right now.

EurogamerI told a top secret source I was interviewing you today, and they suggested I ask you if the new PSP will have two screens.
Andrew House

Number one, I don't know of a new PSP. Clearly we're focused very much right now on the current generation of PSP. We just launched two significant initiatives that we think really improve the value proposition. The launch of PSP essentials - great content, well-vetted, well-played, good-selling games at £9.99 - really helps us broaden out even further to a mass market.

EurogamerMy source said I should also ask you whether the new PSP will have 3G and email functionality.
Andrew House

I have no idea about the new PSP right now.

EurogamerThere's a huge buzz around the Nintendo 3DS. Everyone I've talked to at E3 who's seen it has said they reckon it's amazing. Can PSP really compete with that?
Andrew House

I think we can. We have shown that the content line-up for PSP continues to be extremely strong. We're addressing the value proposition to make it an easier point of entry. It's going to be a matter of targeting different consumers.

Yes, PSP is coming into a mature part of the life cycle. It's been on the market now for over five years. We've sold 62 million units sold worldwide and it continues to get good content support, so we're happy with the proposition. As we always end up saying, we'll come to market with new technologies when we feel the technologies themselves are right, and when the consumer's ready.